St. Paulis Jackson Irvine admits, “It’s been a terrible start!”
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From Robert Stoll
Hamburg – It fits like a fist to the eye FC St. Pauli! The Australian has been standing since this summer Jackson Irvine (28) under contract with the second division leaders.
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Jackson Irvine (28) has developed into a key player at FC St. Pauli within a very short time. © IMAGO / osnapix
The 40-time Australian international could also pass as a musician. Long hair, mustache, a casual look – at first glance, there is little that suggests a professional footballer.
But on the pitch it quickly becomes clear why those responsible brought him to Hamburg. Irvine impresses with a high level of willingness to run, strength in a duel and good passing game.
In addition, after eleven years, he wanted to see a different world than Great Britain. His advisors made contact in the background, followed by a conversation with coach Timo Schultz (44) and head of sport Andreas Bornemann (50). “I wanted to do something new,” said Irvine. So he moved to the second Bundesliga for FC St. Pauli.
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St. Pauli coach Schultz pushes the pressure of promotion to other teams before the Heidenheim game
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“I feel very much at home here,” said the 28-year-old, who did not get off to an ideal start with the Kiezkickers. A minor injury paralyzed him for several weeks.
“It was the worst possible start,” admitted the Australian. It was “not an ideal situation” to start with a new club. However, he supported him wherever he could.
It took and took Irvine to finally train together with the team could. In September, during the first international break, he collected game minutes with the Socceroos. Much has changed since then.
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Jackson Irvine takes the bus and train to practice
The 28-year-old made 40 international appearances for Australia. Here he is in a duel with Japan’s Takumi Minamino. © Shuji Kajiyama / AP / dpa
“I’m getting stronger and stronger,” said the 28-year-old. After two short appearances in Hanover and against Regensburg, she was part of the starting line-up in the last four games and quickly developed into a key player.
According to his own statement, Irvine has never played better. “I always want to improve,” he said. He has already learned a lot in the tactical field because he had to learn a new formation.
In addition, everything is easier because the team plays good football, wins and is the leader of the table. “But for us only the next game and the next three points count,” he said casually.
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From his new home, which is between Sternschanze and Eimsbüttel, Irvine takes the subway or bus to training, and after the game he walks home from the stadium. “I love the German transport system,” he said with a laugh.
The cool Australian is accompanied by his girlfriend Jemilla in Hamburg. Even if it was very difficult for her to get used to it, she now feels good too. The only thing she cannot do is work as a firefighter. “In an emergency, the language barrier would be too big,” said Irvine.
At least the 28-year-old has support. He has to do without his family due to Corona. He has not seen her in 18 months. His homeland, Melbourne, had the longest lockdown in the world. Irvine is now betting on Christmas.
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Jackson Irvine grew a mustache out of lockdown boredom
He hopes that, above all, he can show his father that Millerntor feeling. “They’ll like it,” he said. In Australia it is difficult to follow the Kiezkicker games.
When they meet again, his family also has to adjust to his new trademark. What used to be the hair is now the mustache. The decision came during the lockdown. “It was out of sheer boredom,” confessed Irvine.
His girlfriend couldn’t get used to it at first, but has now got used to it. “He’ll stay a little longer,” said Irvine. Just like the football professional will hopefully stay longer at the Millerntor.
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Cover photo: IMAGO / osnapix
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